In a recent breakthrough, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital successfully performed a complex knee replacement surgery on an elderly man using **3D printing technology**, marking another milestone in the hospital’s medical advancements. This was the fifth such procedure conducted at the hospital, and it also represents the first time this cutting-edge technique has been applied in the province, filling a critical technical gap and demonstrating the practical application of 3D technology in clinical settings.
Seventy-six-year-old Uncle Liu from Xiangfang District, Harbin, had been suffering from chronic left knee pain for over a decade. Despite medication, his condition worsened, leading to limited mobility and difficulty walking. Recently, he was admitted to the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital. A radiographic examination revealed severe osteoarthritis and a varus deformity, commonly referred to as "O-shaped legs." Given his age and pre-existing conditions such as hypertension and heart disease, traditional knee replacement posed significant risks, including excessive bleeding and higher surgical complications.
To address these challenges, Director Lu Wei led a team of surgeons who decided to utilize **3D printing** to create precise osteotomy templates for Liu’s left knee. Before the operation, a full-leg CT scan was conducted, and the data was imported into a computer for 3D reconstruction. This allowed the team to determine the exact angle and amount of bone to be cut, which were then used to print a custom osteotomy guide. On May 20th, the surgery took place, and thanks to the pre-designed model, the procedure was completed efficiently. The operation lasted just one and a half hours without the need to access the bone marrow cavity. The minimal invasiveness resulted in less blood loss, reduced trauma, and a lower risk of infection and fat embolism.
Post-surgery X-rays confirmed that Liu’s left knee joint was well-aligned. By the third day after the operation, he was able to walk without crutches. Two weeks later, he returned home with his family after suture removal, ready to resume his daily life.
According to Director Lu Wei, since the introduction of 3D printing technology in February, five successful surgeries have been completed. The use of 3D printing in medicine serves as a navigational tool, enabling more accurate and personalized procedures. Patients first undergo a lower limb CT scan, and their bone data is sent to a computer for 3D modeling. A 1:1 resin replica of the knee is then printed using advanced **3D printers**, allowing for the creation of a customized osteotomy guide and measurement of the appropriate prosthetic size. Each patient receives a tailored template and prosthesis, resulting in a highly individualized surgical outcome.
Although the 3D-printed models are made of resin or polymer materials and cannot be used directly, they serve as essential navigation tools for surgeons. These guides help plan the operation in advance, ensuring accuracy, safety, and efficiency by accounting for complex anatomical structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and tissues. The potential of 3D printing in the medical field is vast, offering a promising future for more precise and patient-specific treatments.
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